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Portland Parks & Recreation Celebrates Native American Family Day

Day-long Celebration on Saturday, November 1 in Conjunction with Native American Heritage Month

(Portland,OR) –

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will host the fourth annual Native American Family Day and Marketplace at Mt. Scott Community Center on Saturday, November 1, 2014, from 10am-6pm.

The day-long event, free and open to all, is held during Native American Heritage Month to honor Native American heritage and culture. Native American Family Day features free swimming at the Mt Scott Community Center pool, family activities such as arts and crafts, fresh Native American food, jewelry (and other) vendors, and more.

WHAT: 4th Annual Native American Family Day and Marketplace, part of Native American Heritage Month

WHERE: Mt. Scott Community Center, 5530 SE 72nd Ave.

WHEN: Saturday, November 1, 2014. 10am-6pm

“It is a special time to celebrate Native American Family Day,” says Portland Parks & Recreation Director Mike Abbaté. “This year, Portland Parks & Recreation has broken ground on Kʰunamokwst Park, which will be the first PP&R park to enjoy a name indigenous to the land it sits on.

“The name, which means ‘together’ in the Chinook-wawa language, fits well with Portland Parks & Recreation’s values of inclusion, diversity, and fun for all ages. It is my hope that this year’s Native American Family Day will bring us together and remind us to protect and enjoy the beauty of our city, its health and its wonderful diversity.”

Other partners in Native American Family Day are

Bow and Arrow Culture Club

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Metro

Native American Rehabilitation Association

Native American Youth and Family Center

Portland Youth and Elders Council

PPS Title VII Indian Education

PSU Indigenous Nations Studies

Wisdom of the Elders

“Native American Family Day is a wonderful event to recognize the indigenous people of Portland,” says Katy Holland, an education specialist with Confederated Tribes of Siletz. “It is tremendous that Portland Parks & Recreation continues to provide culturally relevant activities for the many Native American families who live here. Native American Family Day brings all our people together under one roof to share in PP&R's community center activities. It's also great to have the many organizations represented to showcase the services that are available to help our families and youth. We appreciate PP&R presenting Native American Family Day."

Portlandis home to the ninth largest Native American population in the United States. The city’s urban Native community is descended from more than 380 tribes, and there are nine sovereign Native American nations located throughout Oregon. Each nation inhabits their own reservation and welcomes visitors in their own way, according to their respective customs and traditions. Source: Travel Portland